Guiding Gates Doula

Guiding Gates Doula Every single birth matters, and you deserve an experience where you're respected, safe, and informed. Serving Hampton Roads

Above all, you deserve to be trusted to know how to give birth.

Psst...local doulas tend to have hospitals and providers they refuse to work with. And it's not just one doula who feels...
06/12/2026

Psst...local doulas tend to have hospitals and providers they refuse to work with. And it's not just one doula who feels that way.

We talk about these places and people amongst ourselves, wishing deeply that others knew too. We wish you knew that this provider isn't going to support your VBAC or that this hospital doesn't welcome doulas. We wish you knew which provider forced a woman to labor on her back or used coercion to get their way. We want you to know that the hospital you've chosen has terrible breastfeeding advice.

And yeah, I know a good doula isn't supposed to sway your decision and we should be super professional and supportive, but I can't in good conscience work with a place or provider that I know will sabotage my client's wishes. Maybe some doulas can suck it up, but not THIS one.

We are entitled to our own opinions. Our experience matters. We understand that speaking up could also put us on other people's no-no list, but I can definitely say I don't mind one bit. I didn't plan on working with them anyway.

If you ask, we'll likely share who's on our no-no list. 😉

While my job involves helping families bring babies into the world, I understand that for some, the decision to have a b...
06/07/2026

While my job involves helping families bring babies into the world, I understand that for some, the decision to have a baby isn't an easy one.

This quick listen (or read) is amazing to help you decide if having kids is right for you.

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5831621/on-the-fence-about-parenthood-listen-to-this?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20260605&utm_term=10800671&utm_campaign=life-kit&utm_id=43164967&orgid=154&uniquet=d5GuTqYUDZ8IM2KWdKpdRw&utm_att1=

You obviously know supporting women in labor is my passion, but did you know that I also have a passion for fitness?So, ...
06/04/2026

You obviously know supporting women in labor is my passion, but did you know that I also have a passion for fitness?

So, it's no surprise that I've combined both and am a certified prenatal and postpartum fitness instructor!

Fitness is a huge part of my life, and I love that I get to support moms through so many phases of their lives. Women are tough as heck!💪

Want to know your state and hospital's C-section rate??The World Health Organization states "at population level, caesar...
05/31/2026

Want to know your state and hospital's C-section rate??

The World Health Organization states "at population level, caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates." But somehow the U.S. manages a 32% C-section rate and parents are likely told it's "necessary."🤔

Go here to see your hospital's stats: https://ratings.leapfroggroup.org/

And here, to see how your state stacks up: https://www.cesareanrates.org/state-dashboards

Why do doulas call laboring people 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵s and not 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵s?📖The word 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 implies that the person is sick or needs t...
05/27/2026

Why do doulas call laboring people 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵s and not 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵s?

📖The word 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 implies that the person is sick or needs to be treated. It comes from the Latin 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪, which means to suffer.

📖C𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 comes from Latin 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘦, which means to lean. It's used to describe a person who uses the professional advice of another.

As the word implies, our clients lean on us and we share our knowledge. We do NOT seek to "fix" our clients, because they are not broken. We work solely for the client and their best interests...not the hospital, not big pharma, not the doctor, not ourselves.

Before you click away on these images, please understand that I am NOT telling you what to do. This post is NOT about th...
05/23/2026

Before you click away on these images, please understand that I am NOT telling you what to do. This post is NOT about the safety of any of the mentioned practices/interventions.

I'm just here doing my doula thing and offering you alternatives to things you might have thought were "mandatory." Many of these alternatives are safe options under specific situations, especially if mom and baby are doing well.

I know that C-sections, cervical exams, monitoring, etc., have had amazing outcomes for some of you. In fact, this might even be your preferred way of laboring. You do you!

A client sent me this message recently about her labor experience two years ago.Seventeen years ago, my sister picked up...
05/19/2026

A client sent me this message recently about her labor experience two years ago.

Seventeen years ago, my sister picked up my hair in the middle of my awful 24-hour labor. I didn't ask her to. I wasn't worried about my hair. I have no idea what I looked like until that point. But when she ran her fingers through my hair and pulled it back, I felt connected and grounded. I somehow felt like she gave me strength by seeing me as more than just a vessel. She saw the woman in me who needed to be nurtured and humanized.

I also still remember that.

💗It's the small acts of kindness in labor that stay with you a lifetime.💗

I had no idea that by becoming a doula, I'd also be a:👩‍⚕️Counselor👩‍👦Babysitter💆🏽‍♀️Massage therapist💗Motivational spea...
05/15/2026

I had no idea that by becoming a doula, I'd also be a:

👩‍⚕️Counselor
👩‍👦Babysitter
💆🏽‍♀️Massage therapist
💗Motivational speaker
📣Patient rights advocate
🎨Placenta artist
🌿Herbalist
🍼Lactation guide
👩🏼‍💻Website developer
🛠MacGyver, of sorts

I've always been a jack of all trades, and it's kind of neat that I get to do all of that. There's never a dull day at "the office," and I love all the skills I've acquired along the way!

This one here kills me. If this were you, would you:A) Give up your dream birth to please your husband B) Find a comprom...
05/12/2026

This one here kills me.

If this were you, would you:

A) Give up your dream birth to please your husband

B) Find a compromise that hopefully he can get behind (birth center, labor as long as possible at home, choose a home birth provider he's comfortable with, if that's even possible)

C) Deal with him being upset and give birth without his support

D) Try even harder to wear him down (using any means necessary)

I'm no therapist, but I think there's more to this story than the disapproval of a home birth. I've sadly encountered a few clients who want a home birth and their spouse doesn't. They don't want to rock the boat, so they just do as they're told. This denial of her wishes tells me his decision is likely based on lack of information or there's a control issue in the marriage.😬

Just a little FYI for the working mamas!
05/08/2026

Just a little FYI for the working mamas!

Address

Hampton, VA
23665

Telephone

+17194286929

Website

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